... your contact list ...
... your closet ...
... your body ...
... your mind ...
hello 2018!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Monday, December 25, 2017
Engaged
Congratulations Brooke & Alex on their engagement!
Together for four years, committed to each other, they made it official and Alex asked Brooke to marry him. Brooke cried happy tears.
She said they plan to wait until she is 20 years old to graduate, get into college and get a place together first.
They are young. I would far rather have a young man know he loves and wants to be with my daughter than for him to be older and like a dry leaf that blows in any direction the wind blows and remain uncommitted after so many years. He loves her, he knows it and he wants his life with her.
Congratulations.
Together for four years, committed to each other, they made it official and Alex asked Brooke to marry him. Brooke cried happy tears.
She said they plan to wait until she is 20 years old to graduate, get into college and get a place together first.
They are young. I would far rather have a young man know he loves and wants to be with my daughter than for him to be older and like a dry leaf that blows in any direction the wind blows and remain uncommitted after so many years. He loves her, he knows it and he wants his life with her.
Congratulations.
Christmas '17
When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a rocking horse at her house, kept behind the curtain. All of us grands grew up with it and it just became a part of my memory of my childhood.
I wanted the same for Sofia. Hers, a well-built, sturdy yet plush long-eared bunny.
Aunt Brooke and Sofia ...
Chubbilicous Snugglicious in one of her two cute Christmas-themed outfits she wore Christmas day. This one was from me ...
Great Grammy and Sofia Christmas Eve ...
Brooke, Sofia and Alex as they were zipping out the door to his families for Christmas.
I woke up jingling the bells in tradition. If fact, I've done this every single year for my girls. Brooke and I had a wonderful morning together and she thanked me for another successful Christmas and most likely her last Christmas at home. I love the girls having fond Christmas morning memories.
Mariah said today she realized she missed the tradition of waking up to jingle bells. It's a good thing because in her stocking was a set of jingle bells for her home and tradition for Sofia. I loved seeing the smile on her face when she realized Momma remembered.
Merry Christmas,
xo
Sunday, December 24, 2017
A Sparkle On My Hand
I saw a sparkle on my hand and as I looked closer, I realized it was far greater than I ever imagined. It was the sparkle from one of my greatest joys in life and perfect love at Christmas.
A real love.
A true love.
And suddenly, this sparkle so pure and wonderful became so beautiful in my eyes. She is everything that is good and perfect. She is my heart, my joy, my laughter, my hopes, and countless snuggles, kisses and prayers.
This Christmas, I did get a sparkle on my hands and it is absolutely perfect.
It is the sparkle of slobber from my laughingly most perfect granddaughter, whom I love.
Merry 1st Christmas, my Sofia.
A real love.
A true love.
And suddenly, this sparkle so pure and wonderful became so beautiful in my eyes. She is everything that is good and perfect. She is my heart, my joy, my laughter, my hopes, and countless snuggles, kisses and prayers.
This Christmas, I did get a sparkle on my hands and it is absolutely perfect.
It is the sparkle of slobber from my laughingly most perfect granddaughter, whom I love.
Merry 1st Christmas, my Sofia.
Home Alone 2 Themed Family Movie/Dinner Night
It was fun having a Home Alone 2 themed family movie/dinner night.
A giant pot of pasta, french bread baguette, a delicious salad, spicy vanilla egg nog (SUPER YUM!), and a selection of desserts to choose from to complement the Christmas decor set the stage for dinner and watching a fun Christmas movie together.
Baby Claus was the star of the show.
I love having my kids together. Everyone happy, laughter, and conversations flowing in all directions.
The stage set for a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT coming soon.
And always lots of photos! Great Papa, sweet Sofia and me ...
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Great Grammy & Papa
I warned them, Sofia is much bigger in person than she looks in photos.
They were stunned! At a healthy 18 lbs., minutes after Grammy was standing up holding her, Sofia had slipped down to her waist. I pointed it out how Sofia was getting lower and lower and Grammy laughingly said how heavy she was.
Papa held, played with and read to Sofia for hours and couldn't get over what a mini-me she is of her mommy.
They were stunned! At a healthy 18 lbs., minutes after Grammy was standing up holding her, Sofia had slipped down to her waist. I pointed it out how Sofia was getting lower and lower and Grammy laughingly said how heavy she was.
Papa held, played with and read to Sofia for hours and couldn't get over what a mini-me she is of her mommy.
Sofia in all her sweetness overload is the twinkle in everyone's eyes.
Papa flew Sofia for the first time, just like he did her mommy when she was a baby ...
Oh Sofia, you are so loved!
She is the perfect addition to our family. xo
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Seven Years Later
Yesterday was our seven years later after Keith's suicide. The aftermath was tremendous and I thank God it is seven years later.
We learned that it is important to do special things on December 19th. Not in memory of this date; rather, to have something to look forward to as a happy distraction.
On our one year later I took Brooke for her first massage. We did a mommy/daughter massage and I remember Brooke's massage therapist laughing because Brooke had a constant giant smile on her face, she loved being massaged so much. She was only eleven years old then.
Brooke has been so happy lately. We were in a fun conversation and as her mom I plug in to her and still must ask, "How are you doing today?"
She shared she woke up thinking about it, played a song in memory of him, then shifted her focus to excitedly packing because she was heading to a ski resort! Brooke, learning taking snowboard lessons, hot chocolate by a fireplace and an indoor pool. You would have to know her to understand how out of character outdoor lessons is for her.
I have to mention Max went to see Santa this week.
This is Max one year ago ...
We learned that it is important to do special things on December 19th. Not in memory of this date; rather, to have something to look forward to as a happy distraction.
On our one year later I took Brooke for her first massage. We did a mommy/daughter massage and I remember Brooke's massage therapist laughing because Brooke had a constant giant smile on her face, she loved being massaged so much. She was only eleven years old then.
Brooke has been so happy lately. We were in a fun conversation and as her mom I plug in to her and still must ask, "How are you doing today?"
She shared she woke up thinking about it, played a song in memory of him, then shifted her focus to excitedly packing because she was heading to a ski resort! Brooke, learning taking snowboard lessons, hot chocolate by a fireplace and an indoor pool. You would have to know her to understand how out of character outdoor lessons is for her.
I have to mention Max went to see Santa this week.
This is Max one year ago ...
Brooke obviously loves to dress up, now so must Max. It's hard to tell in his photo with Santa this year, but Max has a reindeer costume strapped to him.
He best get used to it, his momma loves to dress up!
It's time to get off my laptop, it's Christmastime and I have a day filled with Christmas excitement and toasting celebrations!
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Beautifully and Wonderfully Made
Tomorrow I get to kiss her ...
Tomorrow her great grandma and great papa get to see her after many months. Everyone home together for Christmas ...
Tomorrow her great grandma and great papa get to see her after many months. Everyone home together for Christmas ...
... I cannot wait to see her.
My beautifully and wonderfully made, perfect little descendant. Tomorrow's will come, my granddaughter will grow, and she will walk in honor and beauty.
Friday, December 15, 2017
Who's Child Is This?
No, not "What child is this?" Who's child is this?
With GPA's holding some credibility, I guess it would be your Senior year to apply yourself to academics. I don't recognize my own child who is studying like crazy and getting A's in all her classes and a B in Math through this second grading period.
Academically bright, I know she has it in her, she has just refused to make the effort until this year.
I came home after running around to my driveway being completely shoveled. Who did this? Imagine my shock when Brooke walked out of the garage.
It needs to be said that in the fourteen years we have lived in our home, I gave up having Brooke help shovel a long time ago. We call her Noodle. Noodle arms because she doesn't have much strength, more so by choice. She would bundle up, get a few shovels of snow and beggggg to be done. She exhausted me. To have her see the need, take the initiative and not wait me out, I was confused, surprised, then wondered what she wanted. Here, she just did it. She also recruited Andy, the neighbor kid.
The garage door wasn't working, she took the initiative to figure it out. She recruited Alex.
She picked up the rest of the leaves from autumn. She recruited Alex.
[Brooke is clearly strong in leadership and delegation. I have said since she was a bossy little girl, Brooke would one day be President & CEO.]
She just seems happy.
One day she text me, "In 2018 I'm turning depressy to successy."
There have been several pieces parts that have turned the ship for her.
When she was a little girl she refused to be potty trained until a ridiculous age. I knew as her mom it would be her waking up one day and deciding to do it, but it wouldn't happen until she made the decision. That is exactly what happened. One day she woke up, made her own decision and she was forever potty trained. This was the first of many events in her life of waiting her out until she made her own decision.
It is a sigh of relief, a refreshing change and an added blessing to have her turn 18 years old happy and in a significantly better frame of mind.
Her independence and happiness = my independence and happiness.
With GPA's holding some credibility, I guess it would be your Senior year to apply yourself to academics. I don't recognize my own child who is studying like crazy and getting A's in all her classes and a B in Math through this second grading period.
Academically bright, I know she has it in her, she has just refused to make the effort until this year.
I came home after running around to my driveway being completely shoveled. Who did this? Imagine my shock when Brooke walked out of the garage.
It needs to be said that in the fourteen years we have lived in our home, I gave up having Brooke help shovel a long time ago. We call her Noodle. Noodle arms because she doesn't have much strength, more so by choice. She would bundle up, get a few shovels of snow and beggggg to be done. She exhausted me. To have her see the need, take the initiative and not wait me out, I was confused, surprised, then wondered what she wanted. Here, she just did it. She also recruited Andy, the neighbor kid.
The garage door wasn't working, she took the initiative to figure it out. She recruited Alex.
She picked up the rest of the leaves from autumn. She recruited Alex.
[Brooke is clearly strong in leadership and delegation. I have said since she was a bossy little girl, Brooke would one day be President & CEO.]
She just seems happy.
One day she text me, "In 2018 I'm turning depressy to successy."
There have been several pieces parts that have turned the ship for her.
When she was a little girl she refused to be potty trained until a ridiculous age. I knew as her mom it would be her waking up one day and deciding to do it, but it wouldn't happen until she made the decision. That is exactly what happened. One day she woke up, made her own decision and she was forever potty trained. This was the first of many events in her life of waiting her out until she made her own decision.
It is a sigh of relief, a refreshing change and an added blessing to have her turn 18 years old happy and in a significantly better frame of mind.
Her independence and happiness = my independence and happiness.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
A Snow Globe World
It looks like a snow globe world outside, picturesque and perfect. In my arms sleeping was my 17 lb. sweet & chubby granddaughter who is growing more every time I see her. Her warm little body, her baby scent, those cheeks that beg to be kissed, nestled in my arms with the snow falling outside, the glow of the Christmas tree, and my Mariah and I watching a romantic Christmas movie.
Some moments, I want time to slow down.
Sofia trying to sit up, I made a quick decision and ran to the store to buy her a seat, comfy yet more upright. There are so many new baby things nowadays and I was relieved when I found a next stage bouncy seat that sits upright versus lays back. Perfect for her to watch cartoons.
Sofia loves cartoons!
Mariah & Jeremy by choice does not have television stations in their home. At grandma's house, Sofia now has her upright bouncy seat and a large television that must feel theater-style to her.
Those brown almond-shaped eyes, those chubby cheeks, little button nose, and those sweet little wet bow-tie lips, many times I looked at her and would see her mommy as a baby.
I never knew what a gift it would be, to hold my baby's baby, her little mini-me.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.
And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Peace, Freedom & Love
Last night was a picturesque winter wonderland and the setting perfect for a Christmas program. Even the roads being a mess thrilled me. It’s Christmas, it must be white. Play the music. Tell the story. The dance of Christmas.
The dust is settling after continous changes in my life and me still looking around recognizing and embracing little things that make me happy I never expected. I smile and feel like God is smiling down on me saying, “This is why.”
Everything that didn’t make sense, now makes perfect sense. God knew and it is as if He pulled the veil back and gave me answers to so many prayers and questions.
I get it.
My heart is happy and bright and I have new desires and new titles in this new beginning...
The dust is settling after continous changes in my life and me still looking around recognizing and embracing little things that make me happy I never expected. I smile and feel like God is smiling down on me saying, “This is why.”
Everything that didn’t make sense, now makes perfect sense. God knew and it is as if He pulled the veil back and gave me answers to so many prayers and questions.
I get it.
My heart is happy and bright and I have new desires and new titles in this new beginning...
PEACE
FREEDOM
and
LOVE.
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Sofia Goes To The Hospital
I saw the text from Jeremy first that they took Sofia to the hospital, she was sick, he shared her symptoms and said the doctor was running tests and a chest xray on her.
Then ... I heard my Mariah's voicemail she had left trying to get a hold of me. She left a message and honestly I cannot even remember what she said, it was her voice that I remember most. She was trying to hold it together, frantically trying to get a hold of Jeremy, me, somebody. It was a new mom tone, something was really wrong and she needed guidance and quick! Sofia screaming unlike I've ever heard her in the background. Her voicemail genuinely rattled me and when I called her back immediately and got her voicemail, I could feel myself fall apart.
Thank God I just got in the car and was heading home on my last day of training.
Poor little Sofia has a stomach virus and a respiratory virus with multi-miserable symptoms.
Leaning on the side of safety and caution + a sound mind + knows how to make good decisions + love = I know my daughter is completely competent and capable of making best decisions regarding Sofia.
A tired new momma who takes extraordinary care of her little girl and this [Grand]momma on the way to spend the day helping her out. I wanted to hug Mariah first because this is all so new and I know it's hard.
Poor sweet baby, she is so justifiably miserable.
And me, I got to spend the whole day snuggling and loving on my granddaughter and time with my Mariah.
Mariah is one smart momma! She quickly made a post on Facebook asking for prayers as she was taking Sofia to the hospital yesterday. Our sweet baby was immediately covered in prayer from many, many prayer warriors.
This [Grand]momma is still on standby and yes, I wash poopy diapers. I don't do puke!
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Stitched With Love
I cannot help but think how blessed Sofia is.
A photo came through a text, their Christmas tree is now up. I see my breathtaking and beautiful granddaughter in her daddy's arms on her 1st Christmas and I am so grateful.
Have I said how much she loves her daddy? In her eyes he hung the moon and stars! He is a wonderful daddy and I love him when he says he uses "patient hands" when it comes to Sofia.
I'm am surrounded by fabric, sequins, thread and instructions as I make Sofia's Christmas stocking. A keepsake stitched with love. I have so many hours ahead of me and there are shortcuts I could take to expedite the process, but this stocking with be with her for decades and I think of those almond-shaped, brown eyes and I want it to be perfect for her.
Southern gospel music in the air, my reader glasses on and stitching, it is a grandmother moment and I feel as if I should look much older than I do.
I'm doing this for her every Christmas when she pulls her stocking out and looks at it fondly.
A photo came through a text, their Christmas tree is now up. I see my breathtaking and beautiful granddaughter in her daddy's arms on her 1st Christmas and I am so grateful.
Have I said how much she loves her daddy? In her eyes he hung the moon and stars! He is a wonderful daddy and I love him when he says he uses "patient hands" when it comes to Sofia.
I'm am surrounded by fabric, sequins, thread and instructions as I make Sofia's Christmas stocking. A keepsake stitched with love. I have so many hours ahead of me and there are shortcuts I could take to expedite the process, but this stocking with be with her for decades and I think of those almond-shaped, brown eyes and I want it to be perfect for her.
Southern gospel music in the air, my reader glasses on and stitching, it is a grandmother moment and I feel as if I should look much older than I do.
I'm doing this for her every Christmas when she pulls her stocking out and looks at it fondly.
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